Banca Giuratale features on MaltaPost Euromed stamp
Theme of new set is globigerina limestone, Malta's main natural resource
MaltaPost has again joined members of the Euromed Postal Joint Stamp Project in the issue of a new set of stamps related to ‘Resources of the Mediterranean’.
The two stamps feature globigerina limestone, Malta’s main natural resource. A €0.45 stamp shows a skilled stonemason, carving a low-relief design out of a large stone structure, and the other, bearing a denomination of €1.50, shows the Banca Giuratale in Gozo. Both stamps are the work of artist Mariah Grech.
As has become the norm, every time a stamp with a Gozitan connection is released, the Gozo Philatelic Society produces a stamp card. The card was designed by the society’s new president, Anthony Grech, who included a reproduction of a 1965 2/- stamp designed by Emvin Cremona.
The Banca Giuratale was inaugurated in 1733. It was originally designed by French military engineer Charles François de Mondion and constructed to house the university’s administrative body. The present semi-circular form was the result of an 1875 extension under the British rule.
At the end of the 18th century, archpriest Saverio Cassar, who was governor-general of an independent Gozo from 1798 to 1801 (while the French still occupied Malta), established his headquarters there.
Some feel the building is obstructive and have even requested its dismantling.
From a philatelic point of view, the Banca Giuratale served as a sub post-office and actually became a branch post office on May 1, 1900.